Page:The letters of Martin Luther.djvu/368

 328 LETTERS OF MARTIN LUTHER ,536 CCCXLII To THE Elector John Frederick Luther was tired of the discussions with the EngHsh. In March, Henry VIII. repHed to the Schmalkalden document, saying he could only agree to it if the Augsburg Confession and the Apologia were toned down. John Frederick replied that if he would not admit pure doctrine into his kingdom, it was no use concluding a treaty with him. March 28, 1536. Grace and peace, Most Serene Lord ! We have received your Grace's directions in regard to the English, and will give the articles of agreement to the Vice- Chancellor, Franciscus, from which you may see how far we have got. But as they do not know if their King may be pleased with them, especially the last four, we have first announced the matter to him, leaving a loop- hole for escape. If His Majesty accept the conditions, the alliance shall be ratified, for the articles harmonise with our teaching, and afterwards, if desired, an embassy may be sent to explain things more fully to the King. But if His Majesty will not accept, or wishes alterations in these articles, then we cannot for his sake launch our Church into fresh trouble when we have scarcely got it into smooth waters. Your Electoral Highness can from all this draw your own conclusions as to the royal marriage question, or say if it would not be as well for us to defend ourselves in as far as we have approved of it. In Herzog George's affair our people have acted most imprudently, which has incensed me greatly. But your Grace has a good conscience, having offered to drop all enmity ; God will not forget it. But this quarrelsome, revengeful man continues bloodthirsty and longs for murder, so that one day " his mischief shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing shall come down upon his own pate." But the best of it is, he cannot even join in prayer with those who cleave to him, for he does not need prayer, so proud is he ; while, God be praised, we can pray, for